Stefan Wessels

Stefan Wessels (born February 28, 1979 in Rahden) is a Germany Football (soccer) who plays as a Goalkeeper (football), currently for Everton F.C..

Wessels was a youth team player at Bayern Munich, and broke into the first team squad in September 1999 after Bayern lost both goalies Oliver Kahn and Bernd Dreher to injury. Wessels' first game was a 1-1 draw at Ibrox Stadium against Rangers F.C in the UEFA Champions League. He performed impressively whenever called upon, but was unable to dislodge the world-class Kahn for greater playing time. Wessels was somewhat involved in the most successful period in Bayern's recent history, including the UEFA Champions League 2000-01 UEFA Champions League win, but eventually left for Köln in 2003, seeking first-team football.

His time in Köln has been eventful, with the club relegated in his first season, before immediately getting promoted back to the 1st division the following year. Top flight football was short lived however, with Köln again being relegated after only one season. Köln began the 2006/07 season in the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga, aiming to bounce back once again; this time the up-and-down series came to a halt, with Köln staying in the second division after only finishing in ninth place. Showing consistently good performances, Wessels was one of the few players to stand out in a mostly sub-par squad. However, at the beginning of the 2007/08 season, colombian goalkeeper Faryd Aly Mondragón signed with the club, and after a fair but intense rivalry, Wessels lost his position as the club's number 1. At the international level, Wessels has featured for Germany national football team at various levels, but is yet to break into the senior squad.

Everton

On the August 6, 2007 Wessels agreed to a trial with England Premier League team Everton F.C. and subsequently signed an initial one-year contract with the club on August 21st; he was given his favoured number 33 jersey. Upon signing he said:

"I am excited to be here in England. It is the first time I have played for a club outside of Germany but the English Premier League is a very exciting league and I am looking forward to my time here at Everton."

Stefan is the first German player to sign for Everton in the club's history. Following a hand-injury sustained to first choice goalkeeper Tim Howard, Wessels made his Everton F.C. debut in the 1-0 home defeat to Manchester United on 15th September 2007.

Honours

- DFB Liga-Pokal Winner: 1999, 2000
- Fußball-Bundesliga Champion: 2000, 2001, 2003
- DFB Pokal Winner: 2000, 2003
- UEFA Champions League Winner: 2001
- FIFA Intercontinental Cup Winner: 2001
- 2. Fußball-Bundesliga Champion: 2005
- UEFA Under-18 Championship: Runner-up 1997
- European Super Cup: Runner-up: 2001